Here's how you can handle feedback in a creative strategy role without making it personal.

In my experience, handling feedback in a creative strategy role without taking it personally involves embracing openness. Approach feedback as a chance to grow. Listen actively, showing respect for the other person’s perspective. Detach emotion from feedback, understanding it’s about the work, not you. Focus on objective observations to improve. Seek clarity if feedback is vague. Reflect on how these insights align with your goals. Collaborate effectively, using feedback for productive discussions. This fosters a culture where feedback becomes a tool for growth rather than a personal attack.

Get over yourself. The best things in life will nearly all exist outside of your comfort zone. That's where you're going to get your best growth. Anytime the echo chamber is challenged you open yourself up to an opportunity to evolve; so long as your ears are tuned to listen. It's awful hard to listen when you're focused on feeling bad for yourself or about your result. Focus on observations. Not negative. Not positive. Observations. With enough observation, a picture will start to present itself clearly. If the observations considered are something other than your own, this will lead to the greatest growth. Start by eliminating the perspective of positive and negative. Recognize that at their root they are simply observations.

Embracing openness is vital in a creative strategy role. Approach feedback with a growth mindset. Listen actively without interrupting, showing respect for their perspective and your willingness to learn. Their suggestions might elevate your project. By being open, you create an environment where feedback is a tool for improvement, not a personal attack. This fosters collaboration and leads to better outcomes.

Sometimes we get so attached to an idea and executing it exactly as written. After all your heart and soul and soooo many hours of thinking about each detail went into the plan. And then the client wants to make a change. Remember this is business not brain surgery. No one's life is on the line. Take a deep breath. Your idea is still awesome! But the customer knows their brand, you have to let them offer up changes. Tie back facts to the goals. Sometimes we make changes based on gut feeling and not goals. They want to change the color from Red to Blue. Go back to the audience demographics and why Red is the preferred color, how does it tie to the goal. Make changes. Get better.

Remind yourself that feedback is an opportunity to improve your skills and outputs. Embrace it as a crucial part of your professional development. Understand that the feedback is about the project or idea, not about you as a person.

Separating your emotions from the work is essential for processing feedback effectively. Understand that critiques target the work, not you personally. This distinction helps you evaluate suggestions objectively and identify those that can enhance your strategy. While it's fine to feel passionate about your work, maintaining emotional distance when reviewing feedback prevents defensiveness and fosters constructive dialogue, leading to better outcomes.

If feedback is vague, ask for specific examples to better understand the concerns or suggestions. This helps you focus on actionable changes rather than general impressions.

When feedback is vague, don't hesitate to ask for specifics. Seeking clarity helps you understand exact concerns and areas for improvement. This proactive approach shows your commitment to excellence and ensures feedback is actionable. By clarifying, you can make precise adjustments instead of guessing what needs change, saving time and enhancing your creative strategy's effectiveness.

"Take it into consideration" You are only one piece of a very large puzzle. When you receive feedback, it is like gaining access to more puzzle pieces that allow you to see more of the bigger picture. That is a gift that you should value, but not overvalue.

After receiving feedback, summarize and repeat it back to the giver to confirm your understanding. This can prevent misunderstandings and show that you are engaged and attentive.